2023 Grand Seiko The 'Rikka' Summer Breeze Hi Beat SBGH271G
Ref: SBGH271G (9S85-01H0)
Specification
Lugs : 21mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : Manufacturer Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original Grand Seiko box, swing tag & Grand Seiko paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original Grand Seiko 21mm, stainless steel bracelet, expertly brushed and polished with a push-button release three-fold clasp, all links included. The watch is from March 2023 and is sold in worn condition, however, as you can see from the photos the watch is in very fair condition. The watch comes with its Manufacturer's Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Jb_NpB5JwQx2Vo_fptd3oZKmpiQPuw3b?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 19:01 - https://youtu.be/6rqLw18q1Ak
The Watch
Here we have a 2023 Grand Seiko The 'Rikka' Summer Breeze Hi-Beat SBGH271G, part of their Japanese Seasons collection and inspired by the 24 seasons in Japan, the 40mm stainless steel case has been expertly polished for an exquisite finish, and a subtle curve of the drilled lugs sits perfectly on the wrist. A lug-to-lug length of 46.5mm and a case thickness of 12.5mm give the watch an impressive wrist presence, a polished chamfer edge flows around the case and brushed surfaces transition with crisp lines. On the right side is a signed screw-down crown with deep knurling for extra grip. The smooth bezel holds a box-shaped sapphire crystal AR coated on the inside above a stunning textured luscious green dial reflecting the summer grass swaying in the breeze. An outer minute chapter ring surrounds applied faceted gold-toned baton indexes marking the hours, chamfered edges Zaratsu hand polished shimmer in the light as you rotate your wrist, at 3 o’clock a framed date window, elegant gold-toned dauphine hands are Zaratsu polished with razor edges complemented by a gold-toned tapered sweeping second hand, at 12 o’clock we have the applied “GS” and “Grand Seiko” underneath, at 6 o’clock “Automatic” “High-Beat 36000” complete this nature inspired versatile timepiece. On the reverse a screw-down exhibition case back, inside an automatic Seiko Hi-Beat Cal. 9S85, 37 jewels, beating at 36,000 beats per hour, developed at their Grand Seiko Studio in Shizukuishi, fitted with a skeletonised rotor, the movement has been adjusted to six positions and temperatures at the factory, and finished with attractive Cotes de Geneve decoration, the movement has been developed with Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Technology where precise components are produced using advanced semiconductor manufacturing. The watch comes paired with its Grand Seiko 21mm, stainless steel bracelet, expertly brushed and polished with a push-button release folding clasp and the watch comes with its Grand Seiko presentation box, swing tags and paperwork.
Personal Note
When Grand Seiko produce a special dial there are no corners cut, this SBGH271G is the perfect example of that! The beautiful textured green dial plays with the light and offers a unique look, contrasted perfectly against the gold tones on the dial, you'll be hard pressed to find better at this price point! Don't hesitate to book an appointment and see this marvel for yourself, but be warned, you will likely walk away with it on your wrist!
The Brand
The first Grand Seiko debuted in Tokyo in 1960. The reference 3180 was made by Suwa Seikosha. Rather than sending its 25 Jewels Chronometer movement to the Swiss to be tested, Seiko decided to do the testing themselves. The European Chronometer Official Association believed that a chronometer-rated watch had to be independently tested to be awarded that designation. Seiko watches were not independently tested so therefore they could not be chronometers. The ECOA did what irritated watchmakers do, they wrote a stern letter to Seiko requesting that the designation of Chronometer on Grand and King Seiko watches stop. Seiko obliged and ceased using the "Chronometer" on their watches. In response, the Japanese Chronometer Authorization Association was started in 1968 as an independent group to test timepieces to chronometer standards. The Association was short-lived: due to the rise of quartz watches, it closed in 1983. Today Grand Seiko movements are tested over 17 days in 6 positions compared to COSC testing over 15 days in 5 positions. In 1985 Suwa Seikosha became Seiko Epson Corporation In 2017 Seiko announced that Grand Seiko would become an independent brand.